Builder _ Installation _ Windows _ 0.10.4 beta7

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Installing GUIslice Builder on Windows

Only three steps are required to get the Builder running for the first time:

• Downloading the GUIslice Builder executable
• Ensuring Java is available
• Adding Java path to environment variables

EMAIL SUPPORT: During the beta, please feel free to send an email to [email protected] with any comments, questions or suggestions you might have

NOTE: The following instructions are intended for GUIslice Builder 0.10.4-beta7 and later releases. The installation guide for older versions can be found at: Builder Installation Windows - archive

Downloading GUIslice Builder Executable

GUIslice Builder binary location:

• In the latest Release Notes under Assets, you will find builder-win64-X.Y.Z.zip:
  • builder-win64-0.10.4-beta7.zip
• Unzip this archive and then follow the steps below
  • When you unzip the archive, you will find a Windows Installer executable: builder-win64-X.Y.Z.exe

Ensuring Java is Available

The GUIslice Builder is written in Java, which generally requires downloading of the Java executable (runtime).

Thankfully, for those with the Arduino IDE already installed, no additional Java installation is required (please refer to Option A below).

Option A: Use existing Arduino IDE install

The Arduino IDE automatically included a Java8 installation. You will need to ensure that the GUIslice Builder can find this java installation. By default, it might be located at:

• C:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\java
• C:\arduino-1.8.7\java

Once you have confirmed this location, we will use this path in the Environment Variable setup.

Option B: Installing Java 8 Runtime

To install the Java 8 runtime, you must use Oracle's JRE. No JRE binaries are available from the OpenJDK site. Oracle's latest version is 192 and the site is:

• oracle.com: JRE 8

You then need to run the downloaded file:

• jre-8u192-windows-x64.exe

Adding Java to system path

We need to tell Windows where to find the Java installation.

• Add two environment variables (or modify if they already exist) to enable java programs to find the java binaries:
• Open Windows Control Panel and then System → Advanced system settings → Environment Variables...
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• Create environment variables pointing to your install directory
  • Click on "New..." and then create an entry for the variable JAVA_HOME with the path you identified in an earlier step. Click on OK to add.
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  • Click on "New..." again to create an entry for the variable CLASSPATH with the value of .;%JAVA_HOME%\lib. Click on OK to add.
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  • The final result may look like this:
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Launching GUIslice Builder Installer

Now we are ready to continue with the Builder installer executable.

• Double-click on the Builder installer executable that was unzipped earlier (builder-win64-X-Y-Z.exe).
• Windows will usually present the typical security warning dialog box to confirm you wish to install. Click Run.
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• Windows will then show the typical yellow "User Account Control" dialog box, confirming you wish to install. Click Yes.
• The GUIsliceBuilder setup wizard will launch, at which you can click Next >
  • 
• A License Agreement dialog will be shown, simply reminding users that this is free software with no restrictions (per the MIT License). Click on "I accept the agreement" and Next >.
• The user will then be presented with a choice for the GUIslice project folder. It is strongly recommended to select your Arduino Sketchbook folder. For example:
  • 
• Next, the installer will ask for the location where Java was installed. This will configure the JAVA_HOME environment variable to point to the correct location so that the Builder can find it. Please enter the location that was identified in an earlier step (eg. See Option A above).
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• The wizard will then ask for the location that the Builder executable should be installed. Normally, the program would be installed into the Program Files directory:
  • 
• Next, the wizard will ask if you'd like to create a desktop shortcut for the GUIslice Builder.
• Finally, the Wizard will confirm the settings, at which point you can click on Install
  • The installation will start, and usually complete in a couple seconds.

Launching GUIslice Builder

Provided that the installation above was completed successfully, you can now launch the GUIslice Builder.

• In most cases, the GUIsliceBuilder will appear on the Start Menu.
• Please note: due to a minor bug, you may find it located under "&" / "(Default)". This will be fixed in an upcoming version of the Builder.
  • 
• Alternately, you can double-click on the Builder from the Desktop if you enabled that during installation.
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